Pangaea Guides

Professional Sea Kayak and Glacier Guides

Pangaea Adventures hires to the highest standards and focuses on guides with a great balance of experience, safety, friendly personality, and education. Our guides care about the overall experience of every guest and strive to balance recreation and education. Each guide practices “leave no trace” ethics and creates a comfortable atmosphere for all levels of kayakers. Each head guide is trained in advanced wilderness medicine and rescue. Their backgrounds are all in guiding and teaching. We hire adults who are personable, friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, patient, responsible, and safe.

Tim Duffy aka “Duff”

Duff has many years of experience guiding paddling, backpacking and ski-mountaineering trips throughout Alaska. Originally a Maine-ah, Duff usually ski guides winters in Nevada, explores the world on vacation, and is also one of our boat captains. You can sit back and enjoy the cruise with Duff while he throws fun facts at you and sometimes even raps them. He acquired the company in 2008 and says the Valdez vistas still have him in awe.

Kristina Duffy

A native to the Chicago area, Kristina joins us for her sixth season as the office manager for Pangaea. She graduated with a double BA in Environmental Studies and Spanish from Lake Forest College outside of the great city, and has since spent her time roaming the U.S. and Latin America. Ask her about exploring Machu Picchu, starting an organic farm at LFC, or learning first hand about immigration issues at the U.S./Mexico border. She’s done all these things! You can also ask her all about Pangaea Adventures, or about how she’s enjoyed her transition to the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Ben Richard

Ben has been a raft guide in Yellowstone for the past 2 summers and finally fulfilled a dream to venture north to the wild Alaskan rivers. Hailing from Duluth, Minnesota, the mosquitos and cold of Alaska is nothing new to this guy. Ben is an amazing paddler and an even better photographer. He loves taking photos of all the wildlife up here and is an expert in the birds and marine life of Prince William Sound. A fun fact is that he is SCUBA certified! Ben is one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. He’ll make sure you’re having a good time and teach you a thing or two about this unique area.

Alex Hubbard

Originally from Texas, she’s traveled around the world and deemed Alaska the go-to place. Alex has 5 years of guiding under her belt as well as a degree in Geography from Oklahoma State University. She loves being on the water but hates swimming, so you can be sure she’ll keep you inside the boat while rafting down the river or kayaking around ice. Ask her about how she married the same guy twice, or about her days as a mascot. She’s sweet and she’s funny and she’ll be sure to show you a good time.

Brian Herbig

This classic New Yorker hails from the Adirondacks. He arrived an intern, and quickly showed unmistakable interest and prowess in all aspects of what we do. More than anything, Big Boy is just a genuine pleasure to be around. He keeps an upbeat attitude and evinces an honest interest in teaching people about our area. When he’s not juggling calls in the office or leading guests on trips, Brian can be found fishing, slack lining, rock climbing, gardening, taking awesome photos, playing guitar, flexing his carpentry skills, or reading a good book. Ladies, did I mention his cooking skills? Let Big Boy take you by surpise as he guides you for the ultimate Alaskan experience.

Will Shepard

Count yourself fortunate if you score Sick Willy as your guide, as he is one of the kindest, most genuine people you will ever meet. Radiating fun and positivity, Will is filled to the brim with a plethora of knowledge and is eager to share his love for the area with everyone around him. Feel free to ask him how he broke his knee last summer, what his favorite scooter tricks are, or how to warm up with the Penguin Dance. Sharp guy and stout cog in the machine of Pangaea Adventures!

Meredith Roberts

Meredith is one of our interns this year, coming to us from Pennsylvania. She is currently finishing up her degree in Outdoor Recreation Management with a minor in Environmental Studies. She spent last summer as a zip line guide in California, but has always dreamed of returning to Alaska after going on a cruise here when she was younger. Meredith enjoys all things music and can really sing! She’s also got talent in the kitchen and can cook anything from homemade pizza to amazing desserts. If you’re lucky enough to meet her, be it in the office or on the water, do keep an eye out for that sweet smile of hers.

Emma Houston

Easy E is one of those gals that you always want on your team. She’s got more experience under her (tow)belt than most folks twice her age. An Environmental Studies and Ecology major from the University of Maine, Emma joins Pangaea for yet another summer as our lead guide, and has also evolved into our beloved manager. Growing up in a family of raft guides, Emma learned water safety and paddle techniques at a young age. When she’s not practicing her rolls, leading multi sport adventures, or helping others learn the ropes, Emma enjoys running, skiing, berry picking, a good book, and exploring the world. She’s fun, sweet, wicked sharp, and she’ll blow your mind with her knowledge of Alaska!

Nick DelPrete

If you happen to get a trip with Nick, you will be in luck. He owned a kayaking company at the age of sixteen! He is now a pro kayak guide, river rafting guide, and even a badass skier. What an expert! Nick moved from Massachusetts to Montana and then up to Alaska in the hopes of finding his favorite animal, the horned puffin. As you paddle together, he can tell you about Dungeons and Dragons, whiskey old fashioneds, and even how he broke his nose four different times. Nick has accomplished a lot, but his proudest moment was winning the award for most alluring drivers license. Ask to take a peek!

Nadine Mabbitt

Callsign: Special Pogies.
A former Lulu Belle deckhand who decided to get closer to the waterline this year, Mrs. Mabbitt joins her PeachFuzz as a skilled kayak guide for Pangaea. Ranging from Texas to South Carolina and Africa and Germany to France, Nadine considers Valdez her favorite place in the world. When she’s not guiding, you can find her helping out in the office, visiting with local friends, drinking in the sights, or enjoying a complicated caffeinated beverage from Latte Dah.

Trevor Carlson

Callsign: Tango Charlie.
Trevor spends more time sea kayaking than anyone we know. As a NOLS sea kayak instructor, he has been fortunate enough to explore the coasts of Chilean Patagonia, New Zealand, and of course, Alaska. He’s made the crossing from Whittier to Valdez five times, so he knows these waters like the soles of his dry suit, and he maintains that of all the places he’s ever paddled, Prince William Sound is still his favorite. Since he was a math teacher before he took up the paddle, T.C. is who you go to when you need help splitting the bill.

Chris Hailey

After getting a degree in Finance at Louisiana State University and then working as an accountant, Chris decided he was in need of new energy and sought out Alaska as his next adventure. A Tennessee native, this is his first summer in Alaska. He is best described as a ray of sunshine and is never lacking in optimism, humor, or fresh energy. In his off time, he enjoys firing up the sauna at home, getting beat in chess and playing unique music. Chris has the ability to make everyone feel like you’re old friends. He’s sure to bring in the sunshine even on rainy days in Valdez.

Natan Shayevich

Handle: Azerbaijan, The Wonder Bread Man.
Hailing from Chicago, Natan joins Pangaea as one of our interns for the summer. With a head packed full of stats, Natan will never cease to inform and amaze you while out with him for a paddle. While Natan isn’t shredding the office or on the water leading trips, you can find him strumming guitar or in the kitchen making tasty dishes you’ve never heard of while listening to a plethora of culturally diverse music. Be sure to ask him about one of his many exotic travel adventures abroad!

Seth Mabbitt

Callsign: Peach Fuzz.
It’ll be an even better day if you happen to score a trip with Seth as your guide! Unable to keep away from Valdez, Seth ditches the sweltering summer heat of South Carolina, where he is finishing up his degree in outdoor education and leadership at North Greenville University. He’s a bright, down-to-earth, east-to-talk-to, well-mannered gentleman, and a serious pleasure to spend time with. A well-rounded outdoor enthusiast, he loves being on the water, climbing, or crashing BBQs.

Chase Belcher

Chase is originally from East Tennessee, but he’s been traveling and working around the world having recently visited places such as Nepal, New Zealand and India. This guide has a plethora of experience having spent the past 7 summers as a raft guide in places such as Glacier National Park. Before his guiding career, he was a medical transporter and has tons of interesting stories to tell. He enjoys skiing, mountain biking and pack rafting in his free time. Chase is a friendly team player and any trip with him at the helm is sure to be a good time.

Dan Manzella

Callsigns: Flavortown, Danzilla, Danny Z. Bringing the heat from Lake George, NY, Dan always knows how to spice up an already good day on the water. When you need to talk boating, climbing, skiing, how to swindle free fish off the seiners, or maybe you simply need someone to dive into the harbor after your fallen iPhone, Dan’s your man. He comes to us as an intern with a degree in outdoor education, and we call him Flavortown, not because of his frosted tips, but because he delights in boldly pushing the boundaries of our culinary horizons. Cod anyone??

Hannah McGowan

Hailing from Memphis, TN, Hannah came to Valdez for the first time as an intern with Pangaea in the summer of 2007. Mystified by the grandeur of Prince William Sound and fascinated by its rich biodiversity, she has returned to Pangaea for many summers to share this unique place with others as a lead guide and trainer. She has pursued studies in marine ecology and wilderness leadership at Prescott College, so she is psyched and well equipped to nerd out about sea life, especially whales and intertidal invertebrates. Since graduating, she has fallen in love with rock and mountain climbing, turning her attention to desert splitters, granite masses, and icy massifs between ski seasons, which she usually spends skiing up and down the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. Feeling the pull of the great north and it’s rugged coastline, she often emerges from the landlocked mountains and deserts to return to us in Prince William Sound.

Sam Benoit

Hailing from land of the second best cheddar in the world, Sam got his start as an outdoor professional by logging many hours in the woods and on the mountains and waters of Vermont. Since 2010, Sam has led clients on all of the tours Pangaea has to offer, has served as the resident handy man, is a nasty mechanic, obtained his Master License and captained Pangaea’s water taxis, and has operated as a manager and guide trainer. Sam is neither bashful nor unlearned in the flora and fauna of the region so even though he looks like he just crawled out from the depths of the Mayflower Star’s engine room, don’t be shy about asking him a question!

Pete Cueno

Pete Cueno (pronounced Cwain-yo) emerged from the caves of Maquoketa, Iowa where he spent 18 years wrestling corn bears and breaking hearts before earning his B.S. at the “Harvard of the Midwest,” as well as the title of “Third Most Successful Cueno Child.” After reaching his full potential in the heartland, Pete set off to become Pangaea’s most triple rectified guide, whose wilderness experience, in addition to his countless sea kayak, backpack, and raft expeditions, ranges from alpine ascents in Patagonia to backcountry snowboard trips throughout the Western United States. In his many years with Pangaea, the Sweeter Sueño has led every single trip on the menu, as well as operated as general manager, whitewater extraordinaire, and guide-training guru. He is a witty fountain of knowledge and will lay down his all to ensure that you have the best experience possible. This guy is the real deal.

Thomas Mooney-Myers

“Mas” came to us after having developed his love of sea kayaking and whitewater in the Pacific Northwest. As comfortable charging the rapids of Keystone Canyon as he is paddling in the serene beauty of Columbia Bay, Thomas will make you feel confident and at ease on any trip out with him. He’s a quick-wit and always has a fun, positive buzz about him. Well known for his insatiable appetite for knowledge, Thomas cannot wait to fill your ear with all of the interesting factoids he has bottled up inside. Feel free to snuggle up close, and ask why the baby seal is his spirit animal.

Mike Dooley

Mike Dooley, aka “Dooley”, aka “Baldy”, is a legend around Pangaea. He first joined the team as an arctic intern, then returned as a lead guide for many years, and now often helps out with training. He is a most enthusiastic guide with a true love for what he does. Graduating with a degree in Environmental Education and also becoming an NOLS kayaking instructor, Dooley is sure to teach you a thing or two. If you ever have the good fortune of meeting this genuine pleasure, be sure to ask him about his cheeseburger addiction, or unmistakable support for the Boston Bruins.

Kate Klibansky

Kate Klibansky, otherwise known as “Giggles”, is one of our all-time favorite guides at Pangaea. Be it navigating icebergs or rapids, Kate’s guidance is as fun, professional, and personable as it gets. A major fan of Alaskan grandeur, Maine whitewater and Utah powder, Kate is kind, smart, giggly, and an absolute pleasure to be around.

Ruby Rose

Born and raised in Valdez, meet our team mascot, Ruby! She’s Australian Shepherd and Australian Cattle Dog, but her red heeler genes run strong. She loves swimming and playing frisbee most, but will join any adventure you take her on. She enjoys biking, hiking, kayaking, sun bathing and boat rides and is always on the hunt for a stinky salmon carcass. Ruby joined the Duffy family and Pangaea team in 2017 and is always making new friends. Stop by our office to say hello sometime, and look out for her many siblings around town!